Patients with chronic respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at higher risk. Benzodiazepines alone can worsen respiratory effects in these individuals, and combining them with opioids increases the risk of potentially fatal respiratory depression. The administration of benzodiazepines in such patients must be carefully considered. Yes, benzodiazepines alone can cause respiratory depression, even at prescribed doses.
Most Dangerous Prescription Drugs
The unborn fetus is at high risk for “floppy infant syndrome,” characterized by muscle laxity, failure to suckle, and oversedation. Approximately two weeks after birth, the infant experiences withdrawal consisting of continued difficulty feeding, high pitched cries, hyperexcitability, and consequently possible failure to thrive. The ultimate concern is that such fetuses will later be susceptible to autism, amphetamine addiction treatment learning difficulties, attention deficit disorder, and general hyperactivity 24. The difference in these characteristics dictates the clinical applicability of the drugs.
Can respiratory depression occur with prescribed doses of benzodiazepines?
Respiratory depression or compromise, while less common when compared to barbiturates, is the most important adverse effect requiring immediate intervention. Life-threatening respiratory depression can be seen with large oral ingestions with or without coingestants. Iatrogenic causes of toxicity can be seen when benzodiazepines are combined with other drugs during procedural sedation, particularly with opiates such as fentanyl. The beta-blocker propranolol has shown mixed results when it comes to treating BZD withdrawal and dependence. One study found that propranolol attenuated some https://kirootoconsulting.com/nature-vs-nurture-is-alcohol-use-disorder-in-our/ withdrawal symptoms in patients who stopped taking either diazepam (a long-acting BZD) and those who took lorazepam (a short-acting one) abruptly 69. However, in the same study, 27–45% of patients experienced withdrawal symptoms even while taking propranolol 69.
Common Overdose Scenarios People Miss
The cornerstone of treatment in BZD overdoses is supportive care and monitoring. Deprescribing benzodiazepines using a multifaceted approach should be a goal for all patients. Slow tapering (over weeks to months) is often needed for patients who have been taking benzodiazepines daily for more than one month to minimize withdrawal symptoms and treat underlying disorders. Incorporating behavioral interventions, such as cognitive behavior therapy, improves deprescribing outcomes. Now that you know a lot more about what lethal medicines can kill you and what pills are dangerous, you know never to assume that prescribed or over-the-counter medications are safe, regardless of the safety recommendations.
- Opioid dependence is a disorder of regulation of opioid use arising from repeated or continuous use of opioids.
- The experimental treatment also included a BZD diary, a drinking diary, BZD withdrawal education, and assessments for ways of coping and “progressive relaxation exercise” 72.
- Accountability is the difference between “I’ll be fine” and real follow-through.
- Sleeping pills and other sedatives often show up in polysubstance events, especially with opioids and alcohol, which keeps sedative related overdose deaths high.
Risk for SRD was highly dependent on the type of prescription opioid https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/benzodiazepine-overdose-signs-symptoms-and-treatment/ (Table 4). Buprenorphine (28.6% SRD) had similar clinical severity to oxycodone (32% SRD) and hydrocodone (29% SRD). The two most common opioids, methadone and oxycodone, experienced SRD commonly (50.9% and 32.3%, respectively).